Is It Time to Add a Business VPN for Your Remote Employees?
A virtual private network (VPN) is used to offer remote employees access to company resources. It’s an encrypted connection between the public internet and a device. A business VPN can be a way to enhance security for remote workers.
There’s a difference between a personal VPN and VPN for business. Personal services are used to protect the user’s internet privacy and give them access to a wide range of content, but they don’t add much in the way of security, particularly at the level required by businesses. A business VPN is designed to secure communications and access to resources when employees are scattered across a broad geographic area.
That’s why it’s generally recommended that companies choose a VPN for business. Here is a more thorough description of VPN options:
Remote Access: These are used to connect a device to a remote server that is located in another country, allowing users to browse the network and encrypt data sent and received. The user’s privacy and personal data are protected and they are able to gain access to content that is otherwise locked in the region where they are located.
Remote access VPNs tend to be inexpensive, but they are optimized for single-use configuration. They may not meet the needs of a business, particularly one with multiple users across various locations that need to access the network at the same time. In addition, business security requirements generally exceed what remote access VPNs can offer.
Site-to-Site: These are also known as router-to-router VPNs, and they allow more than one local area network (LAN) to connect with one another. Users are able to collaborate online and utilize shared resources while data and systems remain secure. The site-to-site VPN is essentially the building of an internet “bridge” between networks at each location.
In a site-to-site VPN, one router will take on the role of a VPN client while the other acts as a server. There simply needs to be authentication between the two routers and communication can be initiated.
Client-Based: A client-based VPN will enable users to connect to the network using an application or client. With this option, software is installed on a device, then it is deployed and authenticated with a password. Through this process, an encrypted connection is established between the device and remote data, which promotes a secure data exchange.
Client-based VPN is often an ideal option for large companies that have multiple offices and want their remote employees to have access to their network.
Factors to Consider: Deciding between these three options really depends on an organization’s needs. Consider the following:
- • When choosing between remote access and site-to-site, your decision will most likely hinge on how many locations and employees you have.
- • Think about authentication. VPN protocols dictate the network’s level of security, with remote access VPNs authenticating users with passwords, and site-to-site using certificates and passphrases preloaded into the hardware.
- • For smaller networks, you can assign access levels on an individual basis, while larger networks will allow your administrator to assign permissions by groups.
When it’s time to choose a business VPN solution for your remote workers, contact us at One Connect. We can help you differentiate between VPN types, as well as ensure that the security profile of your choice aligns well with your in-house policies to ensure protection for your data and systems.